Obituaries for Friday, November 5, 2008

Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, December 4, 2008

He was born on March 17, 1963 in Harbor Beach, son of Genevieve (Lane) Bowers of Port Hope and the late Robert William Bowers, Sr.

Boe was married to Tonya Schinkai on Nov. 12, 2008.

He was employed with Iseler Demolition for 15 years. Boe was also a member of Grindstone Port Hope Sportsmen’s Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, horses, enduro truck racing, camping and carpentry. Boe had a very big heart and lived life to the fullest. He especially enjoyed being with his children who always came first to him and spending time with his family and many friends.

Boe is survived by his wife, Tonya, of Port Hope; daughters, Bobbie Sue and Jennifer of Texas, Cheyanne at home, Alicia (Ronnie) of Harbor Beach, Nicole (Ryan) of Oxford; sons, Jamie and Kayne at home, Mason of Birch Run; grandchildren, Cagen and Emma of Texas, Jared, Jacob, Jenna, Jesse, all of Harbor Beach; his mother, Genevieve Bowers of Port Hope; father and mother-in-law, Richard and Sharon Repp; sister, Roxanne (Tim); three brothers, Rick, Randy (Liz), Ronnie (Marcia); sister-in-law, Kim (Larry); brothers-in-law, Floyd (Janet), and Kevin. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert; one uncle, Roger; and one nephew, Ray Bowers.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Mac Chapel MacAlpine Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Monday.

Earl E. Brahmer

Mr. Earl E. Brahmer of Bay City died Dec. 3, 2008 in Freeland.

He was born in Parisville to the late William and Laura (Kirsch) Brahmer. His wife, the former Alma L. Wloch, preceded him in death on July 11, 2005.

Earl was a member of St. Hyacinth Catholic Church. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was member of the D.A.V. Chapter No. 9. Other memberships include the Moose Lodge No. 169 and the Walleye Club. He was retired from General Motors-Gray Iron Foundry.

He is survived by four children, Sandra (Mike) Knaggs, Lori (John) Sanford, Gary Brahmer and Patrick (Diane) Brahmer; a step-son, Kenneth (Sharon) Wisnieski; a step-son-in-law, James Mrozinski; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; and step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Pearl Lang; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a grandson.

Funeral Liturgy will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Hyacinth Church, 1515 Cass Ave., Bay City. The Rev. Fr. Edward J. Konieczka will preside. Private entombment will be at St. Patrick Mausoleum. The vigil for the deceased will be at 7 p.m. Friday.

Friends may call at Penzien-Steele Funeral Home, 608 N. Madison Ave. (M-25), Bay City from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 on Friday and at the church after 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Memorials may be to St. Hyacinth Church.

Evelyn L. Osentoski

Mrs. Evelyn L. Osentoski, 89, of Bad Axe formerly of Waterford died Dec. 4, 2008 at home with family while under hospice care.

Evelyn was born Dec. 19, 1918 in Washington D.C. to the late Jake and Stella (Bandy) Parks.

She married Joseph B. Osentoski on June 26, 1939. He preceded her in death on June 3, 1981.

Evelyn was a homemaker and after raising her family she went to work at Thrifty Drug Store in Waterford for 20 years. She was an excellent seamstress, avid reader, loved to crochet, and enjoyed traveling to Montana and being with family, especially her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one son, Jim Osentoski; one grandson, Andy Zografos; one brother, Kenneth Bandy; and sisters, Helen Wharry and Lillian Rice.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at the Mac Chapel MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe. The Rev. Larry Salsburey pastor of Grace Community Missionary Church will officiate. Burial will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bad Axe.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Mac Chapel MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Rex was born Nov. 20, 1908, to the late Barbara (Burleigh) & Bert Libkuman of Elkton on a farm 4 1/2 miles south of Elkton in Grant Township. He attended Flowing Well School in Oliver Township through the 8th grade. At 13, he moved to Marlette, and after graduating high school in 1925, he worked for his father, a road builder, on various projects during summer months and spent winters working in Detroit in various positions, most notably Hudson Body Plant from 1926-1929 where he earned .12 1/2 cents per hour.

Rex enjoyed traveling. In 1931, he hitchhiked and hopped the rails to California. He returned again to California in 1933 via automobile in the company of adventurous companions. Many interesting experiences were encountered including camping and unknowingly sleeping amongst Gila monsters, scorpions and rattlers.

On Feb. 13, 1935, in Goshen, Ind., he was united in marriage to Helen Marie Cody of Caro (great niece of Buffalo Bill Cody).

Soon after, they relocated to Elkton and Rex entered into partnership with his father and brother opening a meat market on the corner (H&R Libkuman). In 1947, they rented the corner store to Bert McNeilly and moved the business to what had been the Napa store where they processed meat and sold groceries. In 1956, Rex and Marie moved back to the corner store (Rex’s Party Store) and operated that until their retirement in 1972 when it was sold to Ron and Shirley Cunningham.

In the 60s, Rex and Marie built their dream home on M-142 and Grassmere Road where they resided until the 80s when they moved back into Elkton.

Rex was a long time member of the Elkton Methodist Church and over the years participated in many sporting activities such as bowling and hunting. He loved playing cards, namely with the Yuker club. He was an avid and enthusiastic golfer and lifetime member of Century Oaks golf course in Elkton. Rex remained an active league golfer partnering with Floyd Farver until 1997. He and Marie often traveled with friends on golfing trips throughout the state and country. For a number of years, Rex and Marie enjoyed mentoring and inspiring young people namely Roslyn, Mike, Rick, Mark, Susan & Lana Dean, all formerly of Elkton.

More recently, Rex was inducted into the Lions Club and was proud to be a member.

Surviving are two sons, Richard (Carol) Libkuman of Anchorage, Alaska, and Terry (Carol) Libkuman of Mt. Pleasant; and daughter, Weldonna Libkuman of Elkton; two grandchildren, Valerie Longeski of Wasilla, Alaska, Mark Libkuman of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and special friends, Susan & Morgan Gottschalk of Elkton and Mike Dean of Puyallup, Wash. Mike was regarded as a son and Morgan as a granddaughter.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Marie, and his brothers, Mike & Burleigh Libkuman.

Rex was a steady, loyal father and friend. He was an outstanding member of the community and known for his outgoing personality and ready laugh. He served as an inspiration to many. He was very beloved and will be very much missed.

Per Rex’s wishes, there will be no viewing or funeral service. There will be a memorial service for family and friends at the Elkton United Methodist Church on at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10. Cremation has already taken place and his cremains will be buried by his wife in Riverside Cemetery in Elkton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Elkton Lions Club or the Elkton Methodist Church.